As Aberdeen crash out of the Europa Conference League, the pre-League Cup Final groans of Barry Robson fall quiet around Europa League Rangers.
The Ibrox side have just defeated Sparta Prague 2-1 at Ibrox meaning that the Gers’ final two games of the Europa League groups will go down to the wire.
Rangers know that if they can overcome Aris Limassol at Ibrox then they will progress to the Europa League knockout round this season.
The club also know that irregardless of the result, Europa League Group C will go to the final day with either qualification or 1st or 2nd place to be contested in the final match away to Real Betis.
This game falls just days before the Scottish League Cup Final against Aberdeen and heading into the remainder of the campaign, recent comments from Barry Robson will fall on deaf ears at Rangers.
Rangers put Barry Robson groans into perspective
After overcoming Hibs to reach the Final at the weekend, Barry Robson had questioned the decision to schedule the League Cup Final after matchday six of the European calendar.
The comments even drew the attention of Rangers midfielder John Lundstram, who told Robson “welcome to our world” after the Aberdeen boss’ groans.
But with the Dons to host Eintracht Frankfurt at Pittodrie days before the Final, the match is now officially a dead rubber.
That’s because after drawing 2-2 with PAOK, Aberdeen continued the shocking record of Scottish clubs in European football this season – Rangers aside – by crashing out of the Europa Conference League.
That means Aberdeen are set for a couple of glorified friendlies against HJK (A) and Eintracht Frankfurt (H) ahead of the showpiece League Cup Final at Hampden.
Rangers, on the other hand, will have to overcome Aris and Real Betis to guarantee themselves 1st place in a competitive group and the two scenarios couldn’t be any more different.
